Words and phrases – "competence", "evidence of a kind that may be unreliable", "evidence of children", "obligation to give truthful evidence", "perceptible risk of a miscarriage of justice", "presumption of competence", "reliability", "sworn evidence", "unsworn evidence".​

FAMILY LAW AND CHILD WELFARE - exercise of parens patriae jurisdiction – where orders in place for parental responsibility and secure accommodation - continued availability of jurisdiction where child soon to attain 18 years of age but is not capable of managing her affairs - importance of ability to detain and restrain child to ensure proper care - where guardianship order does not include powers to detain and restrain - where guardianship order does not provide adequate safety net as alternative to parental responsibility and secured accommodation orders - unwillingness to discharge Court orders upon child's attaining 18 years of age until satisfied appropriate replacement orders in place.​

FAMILY LAW AND CHILD WELFARE – parens patriae jurisdiction – where responsibility of young person transferred from Minister to Public Guardian on attainment of 18 years of age – where appropriate arrangements in place for future care.​

​​Court of Appeal Decisions

JURISDICTION – Court of Appeal – Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 69 – order sought to set aside order of magistrate in the Children’s Court committing applicant for trial – order sought to set aside judgment or order of the District Court refusing stay of proceedings – whether Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to grant the orders – effect of Supreme Court Act s 17(1) and Third Schedule – whether proceedings fell into category of exclusion provided by cll (a1) and (a2) of Third Schedule – order concerning the District Court proceedings not excluded

JURISDICTION – Court of Appeal – single judge sitting alone – jurisdiction of single judge of Court of Appeal to set aside judgment or order of District Court refusing stay of proceedings – Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 46(2)(b)

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for stay of District Court proceedings – deficiencies in committal of applicant to trial in District Court – stay granted​

CRIMINAL LAW – appeals – sentencing – historical indecent assault by young person on 9 year old boy contrary to s 81 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) – further historical indecent assault on 12 year old girl contrary to s 76 of the Crimes Act on a Form 1 – sentencing judge convicted applicant and imposed 2 year good behaviour bond – whether sentencing judge failed to into account the sentencing options under the Child Welfare Act 1939 (NSW) – whether the sentencing judge failed to sentence in accordance with standards at time of the offence – whether sentence unreasonable or plainly unjust – whether the sentencing judge erred by recording conviction – whether no lesser sentence warranted in law​​

​District Court of NSW Decisions

CHILD CARE APPEAL – rejection of proposed permanency care plan providing for the permanent placement of two children into foster care – evaluation of flawed expert evidence that resulted in maternal grandmother being excluded from consideration for the placement of her two granddaughters into her care – orders for new permanency plan to be prepared to include transition provisions for transfer of placement and care​​